Citi Double Cash® Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 17.99%-27.99% variable
• Rewards: 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you buy plus 1% when you pay your bill
• Bonus: No traditional welcome bonus
• Best For: Anyone who wants a simple, no-fee 2% flat-rate cash back card with no categories to track
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the original and most popular flat-rate 2% cash back cards on the market. Its unique earning structure awards 1% cash back when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off, effectively giving you 2% on everything as long as you pay your bill. There are no categories to manage, no caps on earning, and no annual fee.

While the card does not offer a traditional sign-up bonus, it compensates with consistently strong earning on every dollar spent. The 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers makes it an excellent tool for consolidating and paying down existing credit card debt while still earning rewards on new purchases.

The Citi Double Cash also serves as a gateway to the Citi ThankYou points ecosystem. Cardholders can convert their cash back into ThankYou points and, if they also hold a Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite card, transfer those points to airline and hotel partners at potentially higher value. This makes the Double Cash more versatile than it appears at first glance, functioning as both a straightforward cash back card and a points-earning workhorse.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 17.99%-27.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 17.99%-27.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: 29.99% variable

Note: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that, your APR will be 17.99%-27.99% variable based on creditworthiness.

Benefits Overview

Flat-Rate Cash Back

• 1% cash back on every purchase when you buy
• 1% cash back when you pay your credit card bill
• Effectively 2% cash back on all purchases when paying in full
• No caps on the amount of cash back you can earn
• No categories to track, activate, or manage

Balance Transfer Offer

• 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
• Balance transfer fee of 3% or $5, whichever is greater
• Standard variable APR of 17.99%-27.99% after intro period
• Useful for consolidating high-interest credit card debt

ThankYou Points Integration

• Cash back can be converted to Citi ThankYou points
• Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners when paired with a Strata Premier or Strata Elite
• Redeem as statement credits, direct deposit, checks, or gift cards
• Points do not expire when the account is active

Rewards & Points

• 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)

Cash back is earned as ThankYou points at a rate of 1 point per penny of cash back. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposit, checks, gift cards, or travel. When paired with the Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite, points become transferable to airline and hotel loyalty programs, potentially increasing their value beyond 1 cent each.

Welcome Bonus

The Citi Double Cash does not offer a traditional sign-up bonus. Instead, it delivers ongoing value through its 2% flat-rate cash back structure. Cardholders who spend $24,000 annually earn $480 in cash back every year, making up for the lack of a bonus within the first year of typical spending.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of each transfer (min $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Simplicity seekers who want a straightforward 2% on everything with no hassle
• Balance transfer users who need 18 months of 0% APR to pay down existing debt
• Points system builders who want to feed ThankYou points into a Citi travel card ecosystem
• Everyday spenders who put most purchases on one card and want consistent rewards

Not Good For

• International travelers due to the 3% foreign transaction fee
• Sign-up bonus hunters since there is no traditional welcome bonus
• Category spenders who could earn 3-5% in their top categories with a different card

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no categories to manage
• No annual fee ever
• 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
• Cash back converts to ThankYou points for transfer partner access
• No caps on how much cash back you can earn
• Simple and predictable earning structure
• Pairs well with Citi Strata Premier for a powerful two-card setup
• Flexible redemption options including statement credits and direct deposit
• Competitive regular APR starting at 17.99%
• Citi Entertainment access for presale tickets and exclusive events

Cons

• No traditional sign-up bonus
• 3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international purchases
• Must pay your bill to earn the second 1% cash back
• 2% flat rate means no bonus categories for higher earning
• No intro APR on purchases (only on balance transfers)
• Late payments can result in the penalty APR being applied
• No travel insurance or purchase protection benefits
• Transfer partners only accessible when paired with a premium Citi card

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Annual value on $24,000 in spending is $480 in cash back. Over 5 years, that totals $2,400 in rewards with no annual fee. When points are transferred to airline partners via the Strata Premier, value can exceed 1.5 cents per point.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You want the simplest possible 2% cash back card with no categories
• You need a strong 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
• You hold or plan to get a Citi Strata Premier and want to pool ThankYou points
• You put most spending on a single card and want consistent 2% back
• You prefer ongoing value over a one-time sign-up bonus
• You want a no-annual-fee card that earns competitive rewards indefinitely

You Should Skip It If...

• You want a large sign-up bonus to kick-start your rewards
• You travel internationally and want no foreign transaction fees
• You prefer bonus categories that earn 3-5% in top spending areas
• You want travel insurance or purchase protection included
• You want intro 0% APR on new purchases, not just balance transfers

Apply Now

Apply for Citi Double Cash® Card

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.